By Patience Ogbodo

BAUCHI — THE Bauchi State government has warned trouble makers to desist from using religion to ignite violence in the state saying anybody caught would be dealt with according to the law.

Governor Isa Yuguda gave the warning at a one day summit  on malaria organised for religious leaders by the Nigerian Inter- Faith Action Association, NIFAA, held in Bauchi yesterday.

Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Babayo Garba Gamawa, Yuguda declared that enough is enough on  religious related crises in the state, saying: “Henforth, government would not fold its arms and watch anybody no matter how highly placed  in the society to cause another crisis in the state.”

He also enjoined religious leaders not to allow politicians use them for campaigns, noting that in most cases they make inciting statements that could lead to crisis in the society.

Yuguda then urged the citizens of the state to live together in peace irrespective of their religion.

Speaking on malaria scourge, the  governor said in its efforts to fight malaria and other diseases, the state government had established an agency for the control of aids, tuberculosis and malaria, BACATMA.

Speaking earlier, Executive Director, NIFAA, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, said the worksop was aimed at sensitising religious leaders on the need to join hands with the government in fighting against malaria.

He said Bauchi State was one of the beneficiaries of the programme and there are enough mosquitoes treated bed nets to go round all houses in the state.

In their responses, representatives of the Christian and Muslims communities in the state, Rev. Turbe Ngodom who represented  the CAN Chairman and Mallam Musa Garba Limanci who also represented  the Chief Imam of Bauchi Central mosque said  the initiative would help in the fight against poverty as well reduce premature death among women and children.

They also said it would help in uniting the two faiths as both Muslims and Christians would give in their support for the success of this programme.